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Sunday, April 28, 2013

"Case of You" by Frank Stallone

Song#: 0345
Date: 09/27/1980
Debut: 90
Peak: 67
Weeks: 6
Genre: Pop

Pop Bits: Admit it, when you saw the artist name you immediately thought this was his song from the film "Staying Alive," right? Well, years before that tune, Sly Stallone's little brother was a struggling musician and even did bit parts in films like "Rocky." He eventually moved to California and found himself living next door to his musical idol, Harry Nilsson. The two became friends and Nilsson ended up producing some songs for Stallone. One of the recordings, this cover version of the Joni Mitchell song, was issued as a single and it spent a little time on the chart. However, not much came from it and there was no album released at the time with this song or the others from the Nilsson sessions.

ReduxReview: Okay, this was a real WTF moment for me. When I looked at the chart entry and saw Frank Stallone, that was one thing - as I didn't know he had an earlier chart song. But then I looked closer and saw this was the Joni Mitchell song AND that it was produced by Nilsson AND that is was arranged by Van Dyke Parks! WTF! I've recently gone through a major Nilsson phase and I had no idea that he worked with Stallone. It is just bizarre. And then...you hear the song. Mind you, I'm a big Joni fan and this is probably in my top three of favorite Joni songs, so if you are doing this song, it had better be damn good. Oh...my...god. I want you to think of a ballad that is truly meaningful to you. Then put it to an island/calypso arrangement. Does it work for you? NO! This is just a tragedy. The killing of this Joni classic is pretty much unforgivable. It even drops half the first verse! However, since Nilsson had stopped recording solo albums by this time, I don't hold it against him - still love him. Frank...not so much. Overall, this song may not be as bad as I make it out to be, but I consider the desecration of a Joni song most foul.

ReduxRating: 1/10

Trivia: Nilsson was very good friends with John Lennon. Nilsson has said in a radio interview that it was during a recording session with Stallone that the news came into the studio about Lennon's murder.